The Atlanta Hawks and Los Angeles Clippers are interested in signing CSKA Moscow point guard Aleksa Avramovic, according to Ozon Press. The 29-year-old has an NBA out clause that will expire on Aug. 20. However, no official offer has been made to Avramovic yet, per Bojan Brezovac of Mozzart Sport.
Hawks, Clippers Eyeing Serbia National Team’s Aleksa Avramovic
Avramovic was on Serbia’s national team during the Paris Olympics, averaging 10.5 points, 3.2 assists, and 1.7 steals per game with .533-.368-.800 shooting splits.
Notably, his best offensive game came against Team USA in the semifinal round, as he scored 15 points while going 4-6 from 3. In the next game, when Serbia faced Germany, he tallied four steals. Yet, his defensive pressure was so outstanding throughout the tournament that he was named the Best Defensive Player.
🛡️ Best Defensive Player of #Paris2024 – ALEKSA AVRAMOVIC 🇷🇸#OlympicGames #Olympics pic.twitter.com/LC2qvA9xUI
— Basketball Sphere (@BSphere_) August 10, 2024
In 2023-24, Avramovic averaged 10.3 points, 2.6 assists, and 0.8 steals in 19.1 minutes per game while playing for KK Partizan.
In 2022-23, he won the ABA League championship. The veteran went undrafted in 2016 after averaging 20.1 points, 5.9 assists, and 2.1 steals per game and winning Serbian First League MVP with KK Borac Cacak.
At just 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, Avramovic excels at getting into the lane and scoring in traffic.
What He Can Bring To The Hawks
Avramovic’s experience, success, and talent speak to his ability to make a positive impact in the NBA. With the Hawks, he’ll likely be the third-string point guard.
This could be partially attributed to the fact that Atlanta already has three players signed to two-way contracts. The Hawks could promote one of those players to the regular 15-man roster, then adding Avramovic to two-way spot. However, it’s hard to imagine that Atlanta would want to pay for his buyout just for him to be on a two-way contract. Furthermore, if Avramovic got antsy or needed to adjust to the NBA, the Hawks could still send him to the G League for an assignment.
Still, there may not be many minutes for him at point guard unless Atlanta leans into playing positionless basketball. Avramovic’s size, or lack thereof, limits the amount of time that he can play off-ball. At 6-foot-8, Dyson Daniels should be able to play multiple positions on the perimeter. Nonetheless, Daniels is currently projected to be Trae Young’s backup next season.
What He Could Bring To The Clippers
The Clippers currently only have one player —rookie guard-forward Trentyn Flowers —signed to a two-way contract. However, L.A. has several lead guards on the regular 15-man roster.
James Harden, a 10-time All-Star, is set to return as the team’s starting point guard. Former fifth overall pick Kris Dunn, who was acquired in July, is projected to be his backup. However, the scoring-minded Bones Hyland is still hoping to break into the Clippers’ rotation.
As a result, there’s a chance that if L.A. signs Avramovic, it’ll be to a two-way contract. With Clippers owner Steve Ballmer’s famously deep pockets, they’re also one of the franchises that may be willing to pay for Avramovic’s buyout to sign him to a two-way contract. If so, he’ll be a ‘break in case of emergency’ option.
Considering the injury histories of Harden and Dunn, that may not be a bad break for him.
